Hollands



March 24, 1964 G. HoLLANDs 3,126,049

CURTAIN PARTITION Filed Jan. 3, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 MAL INVENTOR.G50/F65 O [/7/1/ 0.5' BY www March 24, 1964 G. HOLLANDS CURTAINPARTITION 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 5, 1962 March 24, 1964 G. HoLLANDs3,125,049

CURTAIN PARTITION Filed Jan. 5, 1962 4 sheets-sheet 's \1 INVEN TOR.

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United States Patent O 3,126,049 CURTAIN PARTITION George Hollands,Franklin Square, NX., assguor to Torjesen, Inc., New York, N.Y., acorporation of New York Filed `Ian. 3, 1962, Ser. No. 164,092 1 Claim.(Cl. 1150-40) This invention relates to a vertical lift curtainpartition, and more particularly to a curtain partition having valuableacoustical properties of sound transmission loss and still moreparticularly to an operating means for a flexible curtain partitionhaving highly effective acoustical properties of sound transmissionloss.

This invention is concerned with and has for its object the provision ofa flexible room divider or curtain for the rapid conversion of rooms,such as class rooms, into smaller units, for isolating of larger studygroups into smaller units with the great facility of a drop curtain,while achieving a sound transmission loss factor of high magnitude, witha minimum loss of space.

The discovery of the acoustic value of limp, flexible, lead or likeheavy metal filled sheets or fabrics to provide a material which has ahigh sound transmission loss number or effective airborne soundtransmission loss, in accordance with the ASTM designation E90-61T, andthe American Standards Association designation Z24.19- 1957 has createdproblems occasioned particularly by the relative weight or density ofsuch sheeting in relation to high flexibility, to tend to discourage itsuse where frequent conversion of rooms, as in mobile curtainpartitioning, is desirable. With such a high degree of flexibilityalmost to a fiaccid state, as evident by a Youngs modulus of elasticityof 2000 pounds per square inch and a relatively high weight factor ofone-half to three pounds per square foot for sheeting of .025 to .125thickness, an instant curtain partition of a vinyl resin, leadimpregnated sheet of the sound transmission class numbers from 18 to 34introduces problems sufiicient to discourage its use, despite its saidattractive acoustical properties.

It is an object of this invention to provide an acoustical curtain withmaterials of the class described that occupies a minimum area in theform of a vertical litt curtain partition and operating means affordingits economical and practical use, despite its great weight and exibilityand they normal handling problems engendered by such desirable material.

More specifically, it is an object of this invention to provide a novelvertical lift curtain partition of flexible lead or heavy metal-filledsheeting of the acoustical magnitude described, including operating andassembly means therefor, whereby room conversion may be facilely andquickly effected and full efciency retained in use of the desirable,high sound transmission loss factor.

Still more particularly, it is an object of this invention to provide anovel operating assembly in the form of a vertical lift curtain ofhighly flexible, lead-filled vinyl resin film of the acousticalmagnitude which may permit rapid conversion of large room units intosmall ones, with separation having high sound transmission loss withminimum space loss.

To attain these objects and such further objects as may appear herein orbe hereinafter pointed out, reference is made to the accompanyingdrawing forming a part hereof, in which FIGURE 1 is an elevation of acurtain in accordance with the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a magnified section on the line 2 2 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 2a is a magnified fragmentary section of a detail shown in FIGURE2;

3,126,049 Patented Mar. 24, 1964 ICC l FIGURE 3 is a magnified sectionon the line 3-3 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary section taken on the line 4 4 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary front elevation of the drive assembly;

FIGURE 6 is a plan view of the drive assembly;

FIGURE 7 is a section of another embodiment of the `inventioncorresponding substantially to the view taken in connection with FIGURE3;

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary section of a still further embodiment;

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary diagrammatic section of a still furtherembodiment of the invention.

Reference will now be made to the drawings wherein it is disclosed bythe invention to provide a room divider curtain 10 suspended from theceiling 11 and guided along the guides 12, 12 to the floor 13.

The curtain 10 constitutes a material of a high sound transmission lossnumber or one having an effective air borne sound transmission loss. Thepreferred material is a sheeting in which a fused vinyl plastic or likehigh fusion iexible plastic has uniformly distributed in its powderedlead, the composition being modified by a plasticizer to secure a highorder of flexibility approaching limpness. When tested in accordancewith the ASTM designation E-61T and the American Standards Associationdesignation 22419-1957, sheeting of the thickness of .025 inch to .125inch, having a relative density of 1/2 to 3 pounds per square foot has asound transmission class number in the range from 18 to 34.

Specifically, a material which is preferred and which is sold under thetrademark LeadX of Bar-Ray Products, Inc., 209 25th Street, Brooklyn,New York, has the following additional constitution:

Vinyl resin, plasticizer, powdered lead or like dense, heavy metal, inthe ratio of between 35% to 45% lead equivalent so that a finished sheetof .100 inch thick will have a lead content equivalent to a lead sheetof .035 to .045 inch thick or a finished sheet of .025 inch thick willhave a lead equivalent to a lead sheet of .00875 inch to .01125 inchthick, while exhibiting a high degree of flexibility approachinglimpness to achieve the sound transmission class number in the range offrom 18 to 34 for material 1/2 to 3 pounds per square foot,respectively. Limp flexibility as herein utilized is characterized by aYoungs modulus of elasticity of 1000 to 4000 pounds per square inch.

The specific invention herein lies in the provision of an assembly forachieving `and securing the maximum benefits of this curtain material sothat its high sound transmission class number may be more effectivelyutilized yas a room divider, notwithstanding its extreme weight and highflexibility or limpness, soi :that in partitionfing rooms, such asclassrooms, a large study room or hall may be isolated into smallerunits, without the space loss of architectural partition structureswhich normally are employed in building rigid, extensive dividing walls.

In accordance with the invention, -it is preferred to support lfrom thebeam 14 extending downwardly from the ceiling 11, spaced brackets 15 bybolts .1(6. The bottom section y17 of each bracket 15 is provided with abase 18, resiliently supported on the springs 119 in relation to thevertical bracket 210 etxending from the 4inner side wall 21. The bracket20 provides support for end bearings 2.2, 23, between which arejournalled the trunnions 24, 25 for the tubular roll 216 upon which theconvolutions 27 of the roll up curtain 10 are wound. Trunnion 25 issuitably coupled to a flexible coupling 28 tot a motor drive 2.9 througha brake controlled transmission 30 of a known design which need not behere described in detail.

The convolutions 27 on the roll Z6 are fdesirably rested upon transversesupporting rolls `311, 3d extending from the base 18 at intervals,.depending upon the extensiveness of width .of the curtain, it beingunderstood that for a short lengthA and width of roll body 26 or a largecylindrical `diameter thereof, where little or no sagging tendency maybe experienced lfor the weightof curtain, the supporting rolls 31 may beeliminated.

The curtain sheet material lll isv guided over a guide roll 32 so thatits lvertical ilig-ht 33 at the point A tangential to the roll 32 in thevertical plane is medially positioned between side wall strips 34, V35`of the vertical guides 12.

'Ille curtain x10 has its leading edge 36 terminating in a floorengaging loop 37 and isl weighted by the weight.

W, which preferably is capable of conforming to the irregularities ofthe floor 13'. Preferably -a weighted chain, such `as a tractor linkchain which is rigid in one plane and is positioned to be iiexible inthe vertical but which retains .a rectilinear outline in the horizontalplane, is included with-in the loop 37.

The vertical ii'ght 33` ofthe curtain between the tangential point A andthe midpoint between the strips 3'4, 35 is sealed at the emerging slot38 and along the entire height of the slot between the strips 34, 35, byspaced seals '59 and 40. These seals, as shown in magnified section inFIGURE 2a, consist of la core lf3y of :a foamed polyurethane within asleeve 44 of cured vinyl resin film. -Friotional contact is effected toseal the edges 45, 4&5 acoustically, with .a minimum amount of frictionadjacent the slot 38, as well as at the periphery defined by the guidestrips 12, 12;

While there has been show-n yand described a curtain sheet of fused,leaded vinyl plastic, such as polyurethane, which has the powdered leaduniformly distributed in it, fthe preferred product bei-ng known asLeadX as described, it will be understood that va :foamed sheet of thematerial, foamed to a range to change the relative thickness Ifrom lsinch to '1/2 inch, may be used to provide a partition having a soundtransmission loss factor in the 18 to 34 class number, as well as tolact as an acoustical absorbent partition, provided the foamingtreatment also serves toform cell structure with Iinterconnnunicatingpassages. If the cells are closed, no significant change in thetransmission loss factor is secured between a lead impregnated sheetcurtain foamed to a thickness 400% of the unfoamed equivale-nt sheet.However, by using foamed material with closed or intercommunicatingcells, mechanical sealing :advantages at the edges of the curtain may beobtained to :a degree to eliminate the need for the foarned core seals34, 35, 39, 40, las well as the high frictional sealing contact whichwould ordinarily be required between the seals and the curtain whenthecrurtain is extended from the ceiling to the floor, as described.

While there is shown and described a curtain sheet resting transverselyupon rolls in the embodiment illustrated in FIGURE 3, it may be founddesirable, especmly in shorter widths of curtains and in the interest ofminimizing mechanical contact between -the supporting structure and thepartitioning curtain, to guide the main roll with minimum contact to thesupporting structure. For this purpose, as in the embodiment illustratedin FIG- URE. 7, the main roll of sheet material lll is supported onlyat. its ends on the tubular core ZM and its leading flight 32a is guidedto provide a vertical light 33a from the guide roll a' so that the pointof tangency is midway between the strips 34, 3S, as in the priorembodiment. The leading edge of the curtain, adjacent its terminus 36a,has vertically flexible ballast means in the form of a floor engagingloop 37a, as in the prior embodiment, but is additionally stiffenedtransversely by ialuminum stitfeners 46 immediately above the loop 37a.Within the loop 37a there is a compensating continuous weight which, asin the prior embodiment, constitutes `a flat link chain W, which yieldsin one plane only, and is positioned to be yielclable only in thevertical plane on the floor.

=For minimizing the transmission of sound through the curtain, thefascia F containing .the roll may be lined with a layer of LeadXflexible lead-plastic sheeting L.

Another 'embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGURE 8 whereinthe iiexible LeadX curtain 10 is augmented by vertically suspending asupplement curtain 10b in parallelism therewith. These sheets are, forstorage, superimposed in rolled up relation on the single core Zeb. Theleading edges 3i2c and 32d from each layer are branched :out and guidedover guide rolls Ac and Ad, to direct the vertical lights 33C `and 33din spaced planes from each other through emerging slots 38C and 38dbetween sealing strips 34e and 35C, and |47, `4-7, respectively, whichare arranged in side wall strips of the vertical guides, as in the priorembodiment. The gap between the flights 33C `and 33d need not be great,and lfor an4 ordinary classroom, a gap of four to eight inches may beemployed. A gap of seven inches lis preferable andl will largelyincrease the efficiency of the ii'exible curtain of minimum thicknessdisclosed herein, to maintain a high sound transmission loss classnumber, with little structural loss of room area.

While in the prior embodiments illustrated, the idlerv guide roll isplaced in a position so that a maximum length of vertical tiight isassured and the great weight of the roll is thereby relieved from themain roll, it is also possible that this guide roll may be placedadjacent the emerging aperture. For this purpose, reference is made toFIGURE 9 where a still further embodiment of the invention isillustrated, insofar as the head section assembly is concerned.

In this embodiment, the flight 32e is guided over the guide roll Ac sothat the point of tangency of the vertical flight 33e is midway betweenthe walls defining the emerging slot 38e. In other respects, thevertical flight 33e is guided between sealing strips to seal thehorizontal as well as vertical edges of the curtain as it is guidedthrough the emerging slot and through the vertical guides 12, as in4 theprior embodiment.

By the construction described, installations to effect the objective ofa iiexible room divider for rapid conversion of rooms into smaller unitsis achieved, without materially disturbing the wall structure. Thus,assembly rooms of large area may be instantly divided into separaterooms for team teaching. The curtain provides privacy and isolatessound. The mass of the curtain and its density make it possible toutilize the curtain for outlining chalk panels.

Particularly resistant to any swaying action is the embodimentillustrated in FIGURE 8 where both a main and a supplemental curtain aresupported from the ceiling in spaced parallel planes.

No special floor tracks are necessary to incorporate the acousticalcurtain and by reason of the weighted flex- Y ible loop, compensation ismade for irregularities in floor levels and the loop with a flexibleliller will conform to such irregularities in the iioor, to seal offlight, and sound within the limits of the sound transmission lossfactors specilied.

When the curtain is not in use, the roll of acoustical material may behoused in the ceiling enclosures described to occupy a minimum amount ofspace, regardless'of the height or length of the room to be subidivided.The cur- Y tain lends itself readily to both powerized means of rollingor unrolling and manual control, as no complicated power transmissionproblems areentailed. Y

Likewise, when the curtain is not in use and is raised adjacent theceiling, it is out of reach and notV subject to marring or damage, aswould be the case with paneled partitions, such as folding doors, oraccordion pleatedcurtains, which require side wall space forinstallation. It will be understood that while there is described andpreferred a flexible, pliable, limp sheeting consisting merein which alarge mass of curtain would necessarily present a weight problem insofaras elongation of the sheet is concerned once it is hung in position, itmay be desirable to reinforce the composition of the plastic materialwith dispersed bre. However, it will be understood that increasing theweight of the partition will not increase the sound transmission lossfactor proportionately to the increased weight, and economy may dictatethe employment of the supplemental curtain described in connection withFIGURE 8 in preference to an increase in the weight factor of thesheeting itself.

By the employment of pressure seals at the vertical and horizontal edgesof the curtain and by the employment of a floor conforming loop, highlyefcient sound sealing is effected in addition to the achievement of highsound transmission loss class numbers by the use of the curtainemployed.

Having thus described the invention and illustrated its use, what isclaimed as new and is desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

As a new article, a room partition acoustical curtain comprising apliable, relatively lirnp, flexible sheet of fused plastic havinguniformly distributed therethrough 25 to 45% by volume powdered lead,characterized by a sound transmission class number of from 18 to 34 insheets of from one half to three pounds per square foot, convoluted in aroll about a core, a horizontally disposed guide roll laterally spacedfrom said core, said curtain passing over said guide roll and hanging ina vertical plane tangent to a side edge of said guide roll, means forrotating said core about a horizontal axis to raise and lower saidcurtain, vertically disposed side wall strips having spaced guidessealingly engaged with portions of said curtain in the lowered positionthereof, said curtain, at its lower edge, having heavy ballast means,said ballast means being ilexible in a vertical plane but not in ahorizontal plane whereby said lower edge is enabled to conform tovertical irregularities of the iloor but stiffens the lower edge of saidcurtain against flexure in a horizontal plane.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS305,317 Mallory Sept. 16, 1884 1,147,188 Rojas July 20, 1915 1,730,529Robbins Oct. 8, 1929 1,756,043 Weidhaas Apr. 29, 1930 1,908,989 Laheyetal May 16, 1933 1,983,583 Timko Dec. ll, 1934 2,509,398 Peremi et alMay 30, 1950 2,978,019 Carlo Apr. 4, 1961 OTHER REFERENCES Publication,Architectural Forum, October 1959, vol. 111, No. 4, pp. 63 and 64.

